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Wednesday, August 31, 2011

As usual, I've waited until the very end of my pregnancy to begin making handmade items for the New Monkey. I'm 33 weeks now, and I'm only going to 38 weeks this time 'round. That leaves five weeks. Five. WEEKS. to get things done.

I know (and learned the hard way) that if some things don't get made or sewn, the world will not end. I probably won't even miss it. I do this for me -- as a creative outlet, and my baby and family are blessed by it. So I'm going to give it my best shot anyway, regardless of my ever-shrinking time slot!

Colors. . . .

I've chosen aqua and orange for the layette colors, plus lots of other autumn-y colors thrown in for good measure. My awesome sister (who is much more on-the-ball than her big sister) made this crib quilt for the baby a couple of months ago. . . . (click to enlarge the photos!)

This side is made from THE softest flannel ever!

sweet appliques

. . . SO cute! And absolutely perfect.

This is the fabric I will be using for the diaper bag, with perhaps aqua piping and accents. . . .

Now, for The List. . . .

These are the items I really want to make, and in order of "importance:"

The list isn't really toooo intimidating, other than the diaper bag. I'm already bracing for that project, as the pattern reviews I've read say it's pretty intense! I'll probably start on that first, as I know it takes the longest to sew as well, and I'd like to take my time on it.

Other than that. . . .

I've got several eco shopping totes cut out, and just waiting to be stitched together. Hopefully, those will be finished and listed in the shop over the weekend. I also have those colorful buntings (seen here) cut, sewn and pressed, and simply waiting to be assembled to the fabric bias tape. I'm not sure why I haven't finished those up, but I'm hoping to finish at least a few sets, and list those in the shop very soon.

I think that's enough to keep me busy for the next few... um, five... weeks. I'll keep you posted on my progress!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Congrats!! Please email me with your shipping info, and I'll get your prizes to you right away!

Thank you to all who entered the Get Going Greener Giveaway! I really enjoyed all of your comments, and I loved "meeting" so many new faces, and exploring new facebook and twitter friends and pages. I look forward to doing another giveaway... although this next one may have to wait until after Monkey 9 arrives. :) Maybe a holiday giveaway next time? Thanks again for playing along! Have a wonderful week!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

In just about 6 weeks, we'll be meeting our little autumn baby! (can you believe it??) I'm already dreaming of holding him in my arms. What will he look like? Will he have red hair, too? Just who is this little one that has already stolen my heart?

I'm also dreaming of pumpkin: the color, the jack-o-lantern, oh and the food. I'm craving pumpkin cream cheese bread right now. And in all honesty, I look and feel like I've swallowed a pumpkin these days.

Have you made any treasuries lately? Or are you in any fabulous treasuries now? If so, please share the link in the comments so we can all visit your lovely collections!

Don't forget!

8/28: the giveaway has now ended. . . . :)

I'll be closing the Get Going Greener Giveaway in less than 24 hours! If you haven't entered yet, and you'd like to, please don't hesitate! :-) Comments will be closed tomorrow evening, and the lucky winner posted tomorrow night. See you then!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Have you entered my Get Going Greener Giveaway yet? Here it is!(8/28 - giveaway has ended!)

I've been wanting to decorate our bedroom for some time now. . . and as nesting kicks in, this desire is becoming almost frantic! So as I work my way slowly through this process, I wanted to share with you my starting point(s) -- my inspirations. In-progress shots to come later! (All I've done so far is clean my room. And just doing that feels like an accomplishment!)

Years ago -- like, 11 years ago -- when we were renters, I came across this dreamy magazine spread in an edition of Country Living . . .

you can enlarge the photo by clicking on it

I was immediately drawn to its warm, welcoming feel. I love the colors, the natural elements. I do wish I had saved the other pages of the spread, but I think it's pretty amazing that I've held on to this one page for eleven years!

But then, last year, I came across this ridiculously kitschy painting at the thrift store. . . .

I fell in love with its simplicity, and its cool, relaxing colors appealed to me. It feels calming, and at this point in my life, I need calming. ;) Now I also want to design our room around that painting.

So -- now I have two conflicting / contrasting color families. Should we go warm, or cool? Can the two be joined together, with happy results? I'd like to have the cozy feeling of the first photo, with the natural and rustic touches joined with the cooler, calming palette of the painting.

And I'm also giving away my newest item -- not even in the shop yet! -- stylish, reusable grocery bags! I've wanted to offer these for-ev-er, and I'm so excited to finally be able to do so!

look! They roll up teeny-tiny!

I have to say we use these in our family all the time. Shopping? Well, yes -- when I remember. (So not as often as we should.) But picnics? Day trips? Zoo trips? Yes, yes, and yes! These are so sturdy, and so deceptively roomy, you'll be amazed at how versatile and practical these are. (Again, washable!)

Tuck them into stinky gym bags or back packs, car trunks or glove boxes, coat closets. . . anywhere you'd like the fresh, calming scent of lavender to great you! Handmade from reclaimed fabrics and fabric scraps with all-natural lavender. No chemicals, no fillers, no additives.

So, how do you win ALL FOUR of these eco-friendly items to start the new autumn season? Here are the details:

One mandatory entry -- just leave a comment! I love hearing from you! Why not share your favorite going-greener-in-a-busy-life tip with us?

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The giveaway prizes are finally, finally finished! Just waiting on tomorrow's lovely morning sunshine so I can snap some nice pics. Please check back tomorrow, as I'll be posting the pics and details around noon! See you then! :)

Yep. Three days of really, really loud music, dust clouds and triple-digit temps. But also three days of smiling teens (how often do you see those these days?) and fellowship. And the music is [mostly] really good!

So I blame my almost-30-weeks-gestation-brain on forgetting, and trying to do more than one thing at a time. (Sheesh -- even ONE thing at a time is a challenge!) Please bear with me, and I will definitely make the giveaway worth the wait. Let's say... Monday. Monday will be THE DAY. See you then!

This line was inspired by. . . summer and the outdoors and even this heat wave: the sun-washed colors: cool on the skin, soft in the hands. by my family: sun-kissed freckles, romps through dried grasses, dips in the pool in the hot evenings. by picnics: sturdy, roomy and practical, the totes are ready for trips out and about! by the recession: again, sturdy and practical, yet pretty and unique. Use again and again, for years to come. Reasonably and fairly priced for snug budgets.

I'll be adding just a few more items to this collection. More totes, more sachets (balsam!) and I'm working on a new grocery tote, too. This will be a very limited-time edition, due to me getting such a late start on it. Really, I'm already late getting started on fall, back-to-school and winter lines! But I'm just going to do what I can, and do my best at that. :)

Besides, growing a baby boy these days is taking up a lot of my energy. Can you believe he'll be here in 9 weeks? NINE WEEKS!! Now that's exciting, too!

Pippi update. . . .

Still saving up for her surgery. Getting closer, though! She seems to forget about her leg most of the time, until she tries to walk on it (OUCH) but she has adapted as well as can be expected. (Please note that all cat toy sales will go towards paying for her surgery.)

And that giveaway. . . .

I didn't forget! I'll announce details tomorrow, so I'll see you then!

My dear readers,

"Connie Crawley / refabulous is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com."

My friends, I'd also like you to know that it doesn't cost you one single penny more when you click through these links on my blog. Not one. And I'll make a little extra cash when you do click through. I'll be ever so grateful. You also have my promise to be honest, and I'll only link to things that I either personally love, use, or wish I could use. {{much love and hugs.}}